Part 9 of "Chance Encounter"

[dreamflower]

We have returned now to Pippin, Menelcar and the others...

“Menelcar, you’ve *got* to come back to the Citadel with us,” Pippin said earnestly. “I know Frodo and Sam would love to see you again! And you can meet Gandalf and Strider--I mean, King Elessar--and--” Pippin’s enthusiasm scarcely left him time to take a breath.

Merry put his hand on his cousin’s arm. “Oi, Pip, slow down. Menelcar might have other plans for the day. Let him get a word in edgewise.”

Faramir was watching with a neutral expression on his face that was not lost on the minstrel. Menelcar knew the Steward would be protective of the hobbits, and worried about them being taken advantage of. He was less able to read the expression on Lady Éowyn’s face. Still, he was not going to lose his chance to spend some time with his old friends. “That is quite all right, Merry. I had no plans beyond singing on the street corners, and I had made very nearly enough coin to finish for the day.”

“Where have you been staying, Master Menelcar?” Faramir asked, leaning forward.

“My parent’s old home on the second level is more or less still standing. That is to say, only half of it was destroyed in the siege, and the part that is left has a roof. It is better accommodation than I have had on the road from time to time.”

Pippin laughed. “I believe you, Menelcar! But do you know, when we first met, and I asked you about traveling with you, and you told me ‘the road is long and the way is hard’, I thought you were simply being poetical. I know now what you meant. When I think back on it, I realize I would have made a dreadful apprentice!”

Menelcar grinned at him fondly, and laughed. Oh, how that Took lad had charmed him. “You may have made a dreadful apprentice, but I am still of a mind that you would have made a mighty bard!”

Faramir stood. “If we are to return to the Citadel, perhaps we should do so now. If we stay here much longer, the custom for luncheon will begin to come in, and we may find ourselves the center of attention again.”

“But what of your errand, Faramir?” asked Pippin, belatedly realizing that his reunion with his old friend had interrupted the Steward’s business.

“It can wait until the morrow.” He gave his hand to Éowyn, who gracefully rose. She gave another puzzled glance at the minstrel. Soon she would remember.

****
And next we will attempt to draw some of these bunny trails together.

Comments

[isil-elensar.livejournal.com]

He gave his hand to Éowyn, who gracefully rose. She gave another puzzled glance at the minstrel. Soon she would remember.

You've managed to pique my curiosity too!

Faramir was watching with a neutral expression on his face that was not lost on the minstrel. Menelcar knew the Steward would be protective of the hobbits, and worried about them being taken advantage of.

I went backwards... lol! Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd want the Steward protective of me too... ;-) But I love to see that Faramir's looking out for his friends, and making sure that no one slights them or takes advantage of them.

[dreamflower]

Some of these go back to tiny little loose threads I left dangling in the first story, *hint*hint*

Yes, it's nice to see his protective side--a lot like Aragorn's and Boromir's isn't it?
Actually, it's because the hobbits are hobbits. I think that they trigger those protective instincts in the Big Folk without even meaning to or having to try.

[bodkin-ra.livejournal.com]

I do like it that I keep finding bits of story to enjoy, but I'm afraid that I've missed some!

It's a fascinating perpective - and Faramir, considering his position, is accustomed to an endless stream of boot-lickers. I wonder when he first realised that someone only wanted to be his friend because of who his father, brother or uncle were. Although, thinking about it, the Shire is hardly an egalitarian society - but it's rural nature probably means that although everyone 'knows his place', they are still able to respond to each other on a more individual level, whereas in the White City access to power would be limited and ritualised.

[dreamflower]

Hope you haven't missed anything important. That's apparently a slight disadvantage in posting this way. I don't know my way around well enough to figure out how to link all these together, though I *have* figured out how to put stuff in my memories finally, and they are all in there.

Yes, Faramir is even more accustomed to and aware of "boot-lickers" than even Aragorn. The Northern Dunadain have been used to their Chieftain for a long time, on a more intimate level of relationship. Whereas, yes, Faramir would have been taught early on to be aware of those who wanted something from him or to use him.

You are right about the Shire. Hobbits are very stratified and status conscious, but they are not necessarily in awe of the gentry, and will speak their minds. Not only the rural nature of Shire life, but the fact that it is organized around family ties, means that ordinary hobbits have common access to most of the leaders. The person in charge is very likely to have a blood tie somewhere along the line to even the lowliest member of the clan.

[shirebound]

I do believe your bunny knows what it's doing! This is so great.

(Should "the custom for luncheon" be "the customers for luncheon"?)

[dreamflower]

I'm glad you're enjoying it. There may be a few days of interruption, my big computers acting up *again*, and I won't be able to use the lap top as much this time around. My DH wants me to limit my time on-line with it. He still thinks I'm picking up a virus somewhere.

And no, I meant to use "custom" as in "business". It's a rather old-fashioned usage, but correct. And old-fashioned suits Gondor.

[melilot-hill.livejournal.com]

I'm still enjoying this very much. I would like to see Pippin perform with Menelcar sometimes :)